Travel

A Weekend At Hilton Rose Hall Hotel: The Ultimate Getaway

November 5, 2024

It's always fun being a dryland tourist and what better way to do this, than to spend a weekend at an all-inclusive resort? A few weeks ago I enjoyed a weekend with friends in the lap of luxury at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel. When I set out for my weekend getaway I had high expectations. I can confidently say the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel surpassed them all. From the breathtaking beachfront location to the impeccable service this resort is the ideal spot for anyone looking to unwind. Here's how the weekend went.

Arrival

After a long but comfortable ride from Kingston to Montego Bay we arrived in paradise. A friendly porter greeted us and assisted us with getting our luggage out of the vehicle. He tagged our bags and handed us the tickets to claim them later. After the porter guided us to the lobby area another employee offered us welcome drinks. The options were rum punch (a Jamaican staple) or pineapple juice. Both options looked refreshing and we welcomed the refreshments in the broiling heat.

The check-in process at Hilton Rose Hall generally went smoothly, but it came with minor inconveniences. Official check-in starts at 4 PM, and since we arrived shortly after 1 PM, we were able to get our wristbands right away but were informed that our rooms wouldn’t be ready until the official check-in time. When 4 PM arrived, only one of our two rooms was prepared. Fortunately, the second room became available shortly afterwards. However, despite booking the rooms together and checking in simultaneously, they placed us on different floors, which was a bit of a letdown. Additionally, our room’s view didn’t quite meet our expectations. This left us slightly disappointed, but we quickly got over it, since we technically wouldn't be spending a lot of time in it.

Room

Despite the disappointing view, the room itself was modern and spacious, with touches of local Jamaican design that added a cosy, island feel. The queen-sized bed was comfortable, and the room had all the amenities you’d expect, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a fully stocked mini-fridge, and a spacious, relatively clean bathroom. They equipped the bathroom with bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion attached to the wall. They provided ample bathroom towels and a hair dryer. There was also an ironing board and iron and a basic safe. What I really liked was that there were several power outlets most of which seemed to work.

Dining

Dining at an all-inclusive resort can be a hit or a miss as most resorts get a bad rap for having bland food. The food at Hilton Rose Hall was for the most part a hit. The resort offers several restaurants, each with its unique style and menu. Since my stay was short I didn't dine at all, but the meals I had during my stay were quite delectable. Our first stop after check-in was Fresh, the buffet restaurant. We made it time for the lunch service and the options were numerous. They had an array of local and international favourites. There was a hotdog/burger station, fruits and vegetables plenty, roasted pork, saltfish fritters and many more options to choose from. Even the pickiest eaters could find something to enjoy at the buffet.

The breakfast and dinner menus at Fresh were equally extensive and everything we had at the buffet was great. I thoroughly enjoyed the omelettes I had on both mornings. I was also impressed with how good the local dishes were at breakfast. They had some of the best fried dumplings and they paired well with the equally tasty ackee and saltfish.

It's safe to assume that I enjoyed dining at the buffet, but that wasn't the only restaurant that impressed me at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel. Driftwood restaurant offered fresh-made pizzas during the day. The slices of pepperoni pizza I tried on the first day disappointed me, but then I tried the chef's special which was divine! I was immediately converted. At night they served Asian meals and required reservations to dine. We made reservations on the first day, and the booking process was simple and efficient. However, when it came time for our meal, the quality didn’t quite meet expectations. The dishes were disappointingly average, and the wait time for our food was longer than we’d hoped, which dampened the experience a bit.

Mangoes served a mixture of Mexican and Jamaican street food. This includes nachos, tacos, burgers and patties. We also grabbed jerk pork from the jerk hut on the property which was fairly good. With seven restaurants on-site, there was no shortage of food options at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort. The resort also boasts several bars and a coffee shop, so drinks were always within reach. We had an array of drinks – some were excellent, others not as much, and a few in between, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to suit every mood.

Activities

The Hilton Rose Hall Hotel excels in keeping guests entertained, no matter their age or interests. One of the resort's most famous features is the Sugar Mill Falls Water Park. The water park is ideal for families as it has a lazy river, water slides which kids can enjoy, and a swim-up bar for adults to unwind. I couldn't resist checking out the water slides and the lazy river on my weekend visit. Floating through the water park was extremely relaxing and this activity easily became my favourite part of the weekend. I spent a lot of time floating in the lazy river and I still have the sun burns to prove it.

The resort's private beach is the ideal spot for those who prefer to spend their days lounging by the sea. The pearly-white sand and crystal clear waters were inviting and the hotel provided adequate seating by the beach. It wasn't hard to find a place to relax and take in the scenery. For those who want a bit more adventure, the beach offers free non-motorized water activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing.

Although my visit didn’t allow me to experience all the resort had to offer, the Hilton Rose Hall Resort boasts a few other amenities for guests to enjoy. Golf enthusiasts can take on the scenic and challenging Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, while those needing relaxation can head to the Radiant Spa for revitalising treatments made with local ingredients. The resort’s fitness centre is well-equipped and offers a variety of classes, including yoga and aqua aerobics, to help maintain an active lifestyle. Families will love the dedicated kiddies section, where children can engage in fun, supervised activities that make their stay just as enjoyable.

Nightlife

When the sun goes down, Hilton Rose Hall comes to life with nightly entertainment that showcases the best of Jamaica’s vibrant culture. This typically includes live reggae bands, dance performances and a fire show. Since we made dinner reservations on the first night we missed the live entertainment. We did, however, catch the silent headphone party. It was my first time at a headphone party but I had fun. After leaving the headphone party we ventured into the Cricket Club but didn't stay for long.

On our second night, we were treated to a Jamaican beach party. The hotel staff moved the buffet to the beach and we enjoyed some tasty Jamaican food and a show. There was a reggae band, a limbo dancer, a contortionist and a fire dancer. They did a good job of getting the guests involved in some of the performances. After the show, there was a Soca party for those who really wanted to get down on the beach.

Service

A key highlight of the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel is the impeccable service. From the moment I arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make sure I felt welcome and comfortable. This is something that sets Jamaican hospitality apart, the staff here doesn’t just provide service; they make you feel like family. The housekeeping team and groundsmen kept the rooms and premises immaculate. I was impressed with how clean the property was on my visit. The servers were quite attentive. There was always someone checking in on us as we made our way around the property. The attention to detail and warm, friendly approach of the staff truly enhanced my experience.

Final Thoughts

My weekend at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel was everything I hoped it would be and more. The stunning surroundings, delicious food, and warm Jamaican hospitality made it an unforgettable experience.

For anyone considering a trip to Jamaica, I wholeheartedly recommend staying at Hilton Rose Hall. It’s the perfect place to experience the beauty of Montego Bay while enjoying the comforts of an all-inclusive resort. I left with a lot of fun memories, and I’m already dreaming of my return to this slice of paradise.

Have you ever stayed at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel? Tell me in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post, you will also like;

A Weekend Guide to Negril

Mahogany Beach

Exploring Jamaica Without a Car

See you next post!